Understanding Cross Addictions

A simple definition of a cross addiction or substitute addiction is trading in one addiction for another. For example, someone can go from heroin to painkiller addiction; drinking to food addiction; cocaine to exercise addiction; or sex to gambling or working addiction. 

In fact, this very tendency to seek out a new high is often why addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing condition. Those who trade one addiction for another are simply trying to fill a void and falling back into old patterns with a new substance and/or behavior. And in most cases, relapse is the result. 

Are You At Risk of a Cross Addiction?
While cross addictions most commonly occur in those newly recovered, they can happen to anyone and at any point of recovery. So how do you know if you’re developing a new addiction? While the answer will largely depend on the addictive substance or behavior, there are some common warning signs: 

• Tolerance: You’ll need more and more to get the same “buzz”
• Withdrawal: You’ll experience symptoms like anxiety, irritability, restlessness and sleep problems in the absence of the substance or behavior.
• Continuance: You’ll continue in spite of negative consequences, such as missed responsibilities, interpersonal problems, physical injuries or mental health issues.
• Lack of control: You won’t be able to stop or cut back.
• Reduction in other activities:  You’ll forgo favorite hobbies and time spent with family and friends to use. 
• Time: You’ll spend an excessive amount of time thinking about, planning for and recovering from the substance and/or behavior.

Call About Our Post Relapse Care

Rising Roads Recovery wants to help you educate yourself on your very own patterns. Addiction is a chronic disease and a previous relapse does not mean failure – nor is relapse necessary for long-term recovery. Just like everyone’s recovery plan looks different, so does everyone’s relapse avoidance plan. You have a unique history that needs to be accounted for in your plan. And we’re here to help; we’re here to plan, support, and love. To learn more, call today: 866-746-1558.

How to Show Yourself Gratitude

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to give thanks and show gratitude – but being grateful or having “an attitude of gratitude” should also be part of your daily routine during recovery. And this includes thanking yourself -- for showing up, for doing your best and for being you. The better you become at appreciating yourself, the more invested you’ll be in your recovery. And you’ll also be more able to give your time, energy and love to friends and family who have supported you along the way.

Here are a few ways to say thank you for being you.

• Look in the mirror and compliment yourself each day. 
• Celebrate your everyday wins and small recovery victories.
• Turn negative self-talk into positive thoughts. Make a conscious effort to stop yourself when you find yourself talking negatively.  
•  Keep a running list of things you like about yourself – and refer to it when you feel your self-confidence waning. 
• Start a journal and write down what’s good about your life or quotes that inspire you to express gratitude in everyday life. 

Quotes About Gratitude

Here are some inspirational quotes from empowering women to add to your gratitude journal or to hang up as a reminder to be grateful everyday. 

• "Gratitude is looking on the brighter side of life, even if it means hurting your eyes." –Ellen DeGeneres
• "Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good." –Maya Angelou
• "'Thank you' is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding." –Alice Walker

A Sanctuary to Find Self-Gratitude

At Rising Roads, we have crafted an environment that will make each woman feel great about her surroundings, which will help her feel great about herself. To learn more about our programs and facility, call today: 866-746-1558.

Health Benefits of Female Friends

The right friendships are crucial to your recovery and gender-specific addiction treatment programs provide the perfect opportunity to form lifelong friendships with other women in recovery. 

Of course, the biggest benefit is being surrounding with other women who are supportive of your recovery needs. Yet the health perks of female friends reach beyond the walls of rehab as well. Here’s why:  

• You’ll lower your stress levels. Two stressed-out women are almost hard-wired to make each other feel better, according to studies. Women have the ability to open themselves up emotionally in ways that men can't. This helps them release their stress much more quickly and healthily.
• You’ll boost your immunity. Women with stronger social ties tend to be healthier than those without, say researchers. One study found that those who had close friendships (especially with the same sex) had better immune systems. 
• You’ll become more positive. Women tend to want to impress one other and this can make them try harder to put on a positive front. And acting positive can give you and others around you a mood boost. Researchers say it’s the “fake it until you make it” effect.   
• You’ll have a stronger sense of community. Women tend to relate to other women better than they would men, so you’ll automatically gain a stronger sense of security and community – which is especially vital for those in recovery. In other words, female friendships aren’t just “nice” – they’re crucial for sober living!

Recovery Support for Women by Women

Our "sisters in recovery" are ready and willing to support you through the good, the bad, and the ugly. Without fear there can be no courage. At Rising Roads, women can be fearful, supported, and courageous at the same time. To learn more about our gender-specific rehab, call us today: 866-746-1558. 

Diabetes and Substance Use Disorder: What You Need to Know

Did you know that diabetes currently affects more than 246 million people worldwide – and more than half of these people are women? Diabetes is especially hard on women, causing difficulties during pregnancy as well as a higher risk of a heart attack, at a younger age. 

Firstly, getting help for a substance use disorder is a great first step toward safeguarding your health. Alcohol abuse can lower the body’s sensitivity to insulin, which can up your chances of developing type 2 diabetes. What’s more, too much alcohol may cause chronic inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), which can potentially lead to diabetes.

In honor or National Diabetes Awareness month, held every November, we put together a few tips to help you prevent type 2 diabetes –  and they just happen to be good for your recovery, too. 

Stop yo-yo dieting: Each time you lose weight through dieting, you also loose muscle mass that helps you burn visceral fat and control blood sugar, Betul Hatipoglu, MD, an endocrinologist at the Cleveland Clinic, told EverydayHealth.com.

Manage stress: Long-term stress can cause long-term high blood glucose levels, notes the American Diabetes Association, who recommends the following stress busters: 

• Start an exercise program or join a sports team.
• Take dance lessons or join a dancing club.
• Start a new hobby or learn a new craft.
• Volunteer at a hospital or charity. 

Make exercise a priority. Breaking a sweat is key in lowering blood sugar, because even moderate exercise causes muscles to suck up glucose at 20 times the normal rate, notes EverydayHealth.com.

Get your vitamin D levels checked. Low levels of vitamin D have been preliminarily linked to a greater risk of type 2 diabetes. And since addiction wreaks havoc on the body’s ability to absorb essential nutrients, including vitamin D, it can’t hurt to take steps to boost those levels. In general, there are three ways to get more: sun, supplements and food.

Alcohol Abuse Treatment for Women 

Rising Roads Recovery is dedicated to helping women who are struggling with alcohol use disorder and/or a co-occurring mental disorder. Our treatment center was created to inspire women to thrive in recovery. To learn more, call today: 866-746-1558.